Katie McKay knows her two teenage sons aren't thrilled with their mother's plan to put on a bikini and show off her body tomorrow at Newburyport High.
Nevertheless, McKay, a 47-year-old mother of three, plans to compete in the figure division of tomorrow's Natural Yankee Classic, which features men's and women's bodybuilding, figure and sword competitions.
"My boys are at an age where it's kind of embarrassing to have their mom strutting around in high heels," McKay said. "This will show them what determination is. It will show women they can do more in their own lives — not follow my model, discover their own model."
McKay, a longtime Newburyport resident before moving to South Hampton last year, has devoted her life to inspiring women. As president of Gold Siena/Gold Party New England, she is the architect of a business that had an operating budget of $5 million and 40 employees last year.
The company's mission is to empower women through health and wellness, in the words of McKay, by "working with women in transition to embrace prosperity, whether it be physical wellness or financial independence."
McKay competed in figure competitions in her early 40s, once placing in the top 10 for Best Body in a national competition in New York City. The previous owner of Fitness Studio in Newburyport then took five years away from the body sculpting practice as she started Gold Siena.
She became inspired to enter the Yankee Classic three weeks ago as she spoke with her longtime friend and trainer Mike Champagne, who owns Fitness Pros in Salisbury. Champagne, a former bodybuilder, has battled esophageal cancer for the last two years.
"To see him struggle with this, it's really awful," McKay said. "That's the real story. Mike is my biggest fan; he's been with me every part of this process. I asked him, 'Can I get ready for the Yankee Classic?'"
Champagne couldn't find a reason why McKay couldn't get ready in a span of three weeks. At the time, she weighed in at 108 pounds, and she had been lifting weights for the better part of a decade.
"A lot of girls in these competitions have to lose 20 pounds to get into shape," Champagne said. "They're either left with a skinny frame or they lose all of the muscle they developed. Katie doesn't have that issue or the problem areas you see with other girls. She's very balanced, very symmetrical."
Since she began training three weeks ago, McKay said she has dropped 4 percent body fat as well as 4 pounds. She now weighs 104 pounds, but claims she can do more repetitions on the bench press than her 14-year-old son.
"I'm finding another way to develop feminine strength," McKay said. "I don't feel this competition is objectifying women. These are strong, feminine women who get to feel pretty. There's glitz and glamour, and that's a great combination."
In order to prepare for the competition, McKay said she has "cleaned up her diet." That means no bread, wine, cheese, cream in coffee or desserts. In the last day or two, she started reducing her water intake and began loading on carbohydrates, so that on the day of the competition, her skin is tight to her muscles.
"She's very driven, without question," Champagne said. "She doesn't put as much time into training because of the success of her business, but she maintains."
McKay expects to compete against women half her age at tomorrow's competitions. Most will be former cheerleaders or gymnasts. One thing is for certain: She won't lack for confidence.
"It's a beautiful thing getting older," McKay said. "I'm so much wiser. I'll enjoy myself. I can take home the trophy and have fun doing it."
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